Philadelphia Union head coach John Hackworth is well aware of the impact Carlos Bocanegra will have on the Chivas USA team.
The former USA national team captain is preparing for his Chivas debut after returning to MLS following close to a decade playing in Europe with Fulham, Rennes, Saint-Etienne, Rangers and Racing Santander.
Hackworth knows what Bocanegra brings to the table and is wary of the attributes that have helped him land over 100 caps for his country.
"We know Carlos really well," said Hackworth ahead of the Union's meeting with Chivas this weekend.
"It certainly makes them a lot better. He will bring instant leadership to that club and do a great job organizing the backline. My expectation is he will play and that just makes it harder for us to break them down."
And Hackworth feels Bocanegra's return to the States shows that MLS is coming along in leaps and bounds.
"I think that says volumes about where our league has gone and how we continue to grow," he added. "It's interesting we're seeing a lot of American players come back to really try to solidify themselves within MLS and give themselves a better chance to make the national team."
